Gross Injustice to Kalahandi while establishing Central University in KBK by Orissa Govt.

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2009-11-02T07:17:00.001-08:00

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Kalahandi has been neglected for a Central University

2009-07-01T06:06:00.000-07:00

Education in Kalahandi: Towards development
Merinews.com, June 25, 2009
CJ: Bikram Panda

Kalahandi has been neglected both by the Central and the state government many time. The Central University is a much needed platform to be set up in Kalahandi..

KALAHANDI IS in news for wrong reasons since the 80's. Lots of things have changed in this two decades. The present Kalahandi has grown in terms of education, culture, tradition, industry wise,power generation, farming, mining, etc. From the current research through internet/web a report has been prepared as below:-

1) There are more then 1000 plus software engineers working in Bangalore from Kalahandi, aged between 25 to 30

2) Kalahandi's Government Autonomous College at Bhawanipatna has a good track record. Every year, 2-3 students have made it to the top 10 in the Orissa CHSE level in all the streams like Science, Arts and Commerce.

3) Every year, 2-3 people are joining IIT / BITS from Kalahandi.

4) Kalahandi has 200 plus NRIs working at different places across the world

5) Every year more then 200 students are join courses in engineering or MBA or MCA.

This statistics shows the current development across Kalahandi, which needs to be accelerated. If the Central University is set up in Kalahandi, it would be a great source to accelerate the development amongst students of Kalahandi and the surrounding areas.

Various online news that politicians, bureaucrats and NRIs are trying their best for setting up a Central University in Kalahandi. Not much is know about how and when the request was put up and why the Government failed to execute the request. Hopefully, the state run by Navin Government and the Central UPA government can fulfill the request.

Bhupinder Singh enquired whether an all party delegation from Kalahandi had met the chief minister and staked claim for the Central University

2009-06-13T11:14:00.000-07:00

Committee to visit University site in Koraput
The Statesman, June 13, 2009

Statesman News Service
BHUBANESWAR, 12 JUNE: A site selection committee headed by Mr S Kumar, joint secretary of human resource development ministry, is to visit Koraput to inspect the proposed site for the establishment of a Central University.

The team is expected to arrive on 14 June. An area of over 575 acres has been identified for the establishment. It is close to the town railway line and National Highway, noted higher education minister, Mr DP Mishra.
The site fulfills most of the requirements for setting up the University, he said while informing about schools, hospitals, air strips and telecommunication network in the vicinity.

Replying to questions in the Assembly, Mr Mishra said the Central University was one of the 14 of its kind announced by the Government of India. He added that a separate 700 acres of land near Banki had also been selected for establishing another University.
A member, Mr Jitu Patnaik of Keonjhar district wanted to know why a tribal dominated district like his was deprived of a varsity, while leader of Opposition, Mr Bhupinder Singh enquired whether an all party delegation from Kalahandi had met the chief minister and staked claim for the Central University.

Bhupinder Singh questioned on location of Central University!

2009-06-11T04:05:00.000-07:00

World class varsity land identified
Tathya.in, June 11, 2009
Bhubaneswar:11/June/2009

The Orissa Government has identified a patch of 700 acre plus land at Talabasta in Banki Sub-division of Cuttack district for the proposed World Class University.

Debi Prasad Mishra, Minister Higher Education has revealed in the Orissa House on 11 June here.

Replaying to a question Mr.Mishra said that the State Government has informed the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) in this regard.

The land is free from litigations and it was also near to the Capital.

The River Mahanadi at the backdrop, makes the place a picturesque one, said he.

“We have asked MHRD to send their site selection team to finalize the site”, said Mr.Mishra.

He informed the Assembly that a team headed by Sunil Kumar is visiting Koraput to finalize the site for the proposed Central University on 14 June.

A five-member team will inspect the 500 plus acre land near Koraput township for setting up the varsity.

Minister said that the identified place is well connected with rail and roads.

Schools, hospitals and other social infrastructures are available in the nearby places, so that faculty and staff will not face any problem to fulfill basic requirements of their children and family members.

He said the State Government is extending all out support to run the Central University in a rented accommodation till the construction of the varsity is over.

Minister informed the House that till date only Vice Chancellor has been appointed and now process is on to rope in staff.

VC is also making efforts to appoint faculty members for the varsity, said Mr.Mishra.

He hoped that this initiative of the MHRD will improve access of the students of KBK region to quality education.

Bhupinder Singh, Leader of Opposition said that the Central University was to be set up at Bhawanipatna as per promise of the Chief Minister.

Naveen Patnaik had promised to a delegation of Kalahandi to set up the varsity at Kalahandi.

Then why the Government did change it to Koraput, creating frustration among the educated masses of Kalahandi, lamented Mr.Singh.

Minister feigned ignorance about the said meeting and CM’s promise over the issue.

Prasad Harichandan wanted to know when the World class university will come up in the state.

Minister blamed it on Centre, saying MHRD is yet to reply back the State Government in this regard.

Sources said MHRD is still non-commital over the matter and nothing has been given in concrete terms to the Government of Orissa by MHRD, except the announcement.

if at all a second campus is to be opened it should start at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi

2009-06-11T04:02:00.000-07:00

Central Varsity to be set up in Koraput only

The Pioneer, 9th May, 2009

PNS Bhubaneswar

Succumbing to the tremendous pressure from the intelligentsia of the State, Vice-Chancellor of the Central University of Orissa (CUO) Prof Surabhi Banerjee has changed her stance. She said here on Thursday that the campus of the new university would be opened at Koraput only. Prof Banerjee met Naveen Patnaik here to apprise him of the developments on the university. Clearly defensive, she said the campus would be opened at Koraput and classes would start in August. In next June and July, the process would be on to arrange facility for classes and faculty, she said over her mobile. During the meeting with Chief Minister, she made it clear that the campus would be established at Koraput. She said there seemed to be some misgivings about a second campus in Bhubaneswar. All-out efforts are being made to start the campus at Koraput, she added. When Prof Banerjee’s move to set up a second campus first in the capital city was exposed in the media, a leading non-resident Oriya (NRO), Sandip Dasverma, questioned the decision in strong terms. Outraged over the decision, he demanded action against the people behind the move. NROs, led by Digamabara Patra, created huge stir at both State and at national levels. Prof Patra wrote letters on the issue to the Prime Minister, Union Human Resources Development Minister and State Chief Minister. More than 100 students, teachers, educationists and members of the civil society demanded immediate action in this regard by sending e-mails. All of them demanded that if at all a second campus is to be opened it should start at Bhawanipatna in Kalahandi. The Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) was flooded with e-mails from all parts of the world, and the mandarins were worried over the matter. Principal Secretary to CM, Bijay Kumar Patnaik, took up the matter seriously. And Prof Banerjee was summoned to clarify the factual position. Secretary of the Higher Education Department Madhu Sudan Padhi did not buy the idea of a second campus of the CUO in Bhubaneswar before starting the original campus at Koraput. He asked Prof Banerjee to make arrangements for the campus at Koraput. And sources said some buildings have been located for starting the original campus at Koraput.

NROs rue plan for second Central varsity campus in Bhubaneswar

2009-06-11T03:58:00.000-07:00

The Pioneer, April 30, 2009
PNS | Bhawanipatna

Non-resident Oriyas (NROs) have expressed deep concern and anguish over the decision of Prof Surabhi Banerjee to set up a Second Campus of the Central University of Orissa (CUO) at Bhubaneswar.

They said that there was no need for opening a Second Campus in the Capital city as Bhubaneswar is hosting many national institutions like IIT, NISER, AIIMS and National University Bhubaneswar (NUB).

NROs like Prof Digambara Patra and others have flooded the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) with e-mails demanding immediate intervention. Professor Patra, who teaches Chemistry in the American University of Beirut, alleged that the first Vice-Chancellor of CUO is more interested in her own personal convenience. He has alleged that Prof Banerjee is in no mood to move to Koraput due to lack of facilities like airport and modern health care units. Many of us have been working hard to establish a Central University in the KBK region for the past five years keeping backwardness of KBK region in mind, but this is really disappointing, he rued.

People of Kalahandi have been struggling for a Central University for the past two decades for which the Chief Minister of Orissa promised to establish a Central University in Kalahandi in May 2008, said Lily Behera from Texas, US. Though it was expected that the proposed new Central University of Orissa will come up at Bhawanipatna as it meets all infrastructure cited by MHRD and is centrally located in KBK, Naveen Patnaik later decided to shift it to Koraput keeping political advantage in mind, she alleged.

Earlier, many petitions were given to the Prime Minister praying for justice towards the injustice caused by the Chief Minister of Orissa to the people of Kalahandi which are still pending, said Lingaraj Patra from Tokyo, Japan.

In the past couple of years, the State Government has proposed the Central Government to establish a CUO at Koraput, a branch of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) in Phulbani and an Indian Institute of Information Technology (IIIT) in Berhampur, all of them in South Orissa, said Atmaram Thakur. But no national institution has been proposed in the Western Orissa region during this period, he lamented.

It would be wise to establish a new campus of CUO in those regions of the State which are backward and needs attention in higher education in Western Orissa, and not in Bhuabneswar region, which is already hosting many similar establishments of high repute, said Maitreyee Behera.

By proposing a second campus of CUO in a rented house in Bhubaneswar, the VC is diluting the importance of its establishment in the backward KBK, alleged Ramakanta Acharya.

All of them are strongly opposing the move adding that in case of a second campus of CUO, it should be established in Bhawanipatna.

Move afoot to deprive Koraput of Central varsity

2009-06-11T03:53:00.000-07:00

The Pioneer, April 28, 2009

PNS | Bhubaneswar

It is now the turn of officials to play with the fate of the much-awaited Central University in Koraput district, for which the Union Government had taken a lot of time to give its sanction.

Though it was expected that the proposed university would come up at Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decided to establish it in Koraput.

That was only keeping poll-eve political advantage in sight. And the Centre, after a lot of noise, sanctioned Rs 1.20 crore for the Central University in Koraput.

However, now the officials of the Union Government do not appear to be in a mood to go to this tribal-dominated district. The reason is lack of facilities like airport and modern healthcare units.

Prof Surabhi Banerjee, who has been appointed as the first Vice-Chancellor of the Central University, is reportedly not ready to move to Koraput. Sources said the VC has been persuading the State Government officials to open a temporary campus of the university in the capital of the State.

The newly-formed Central University’s authorities argue that the academic activities could begin from a temporary campus in Bhubaneswar till sufficient buildings are constructed in Koraput.

It may be mentioned here that by the time the building will be ready Prof Banerjee’s term will come to an end. This is despite the fact that the credit of being the first VC of the university at Koraput goes to her.

Prof Banerjee’s attempt to open a temporary campus is, however, not supported by many in the State. The authorities can find a suitable place for running the temporary campus in Koraput itself, they argue.

Though Koraput does not have air link, it is well-connected with rail line. Therefore, the students and faculty should have no communication problem. Koraput is the major district in the poor KBK region and it would be literally deprived of getting a Central University even though it has been sanctioned by the Centre.

Expected that the proposed new varsity will come up at Bhawanipatna, Mr.Patnaik decided it to set up at Koraput keeping political advantage in sight

2009-04-26T05:10:00.000-07:00

Tathya.in, April 26, 2009
Koraput:26/April/2009

First it was Centre.

And now it is turn of officials.

All play with the fate of the much-awaited central university in Orissa’s Koraput district.

Centre took a lot of time for granting a central university for Orissa.

Though it was expected that the proposed new varsity will come up at Bhawanipatna, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik decided it to set up at Koraput.

That’s only keeping political advantage in sight.

And the centre after lot of noise sanctioned Rs 1.20 crore for the central university at Koraput.

However, now its officials were not in a mood to go to the tribal dominated district.

The reason: lack of facilities like airport and modern health care units.

Surabhi Banerjee had been appointed as the first vice-chancellor of the central university at Koraput.

But, Prof. Banerjee, are in no mood to move to Koraput.

Sources said, the VC had been persuading the state government officials to open temporary campus of the varsity in the state capital instead of going to Koraput.

The newly formed central university authorities claimed that the academic activities could begin from temporary campus here till the building was constructed at Koraput.

By the time, the building would be over; Prof Banerjee’s term could end.

Therefore, though the credit of becoming the first VC of the central university at Koraput goes to her, she will skip the tribal dominated district.

Prof Banerjee’s attempt to open temporary campus is, however, not supported by many in the state.

The authorities could find a suitable place for running the temporary campus in Koraput itself, they argued.

But Prof. Banerjee was not ready to accept the fact because of one simple reason that they would stay in Koraput.

Though Koraput did not have air link, it was well connected with rail line.

Therefore, the students and faculty should have no problem in making to and fro from the place.

Despite that, Koraput, the major district in the infamous KBK region, would be literally deprived up of getting a central university even as it had been sanctioned by the centre.

The central university in Koraput in all probability will face the fate of the Western Orissa Development Council (WODC) which had its headquarters in the state capital for a long time.

People repeat Central University demand during election 2009

2009-04-14T03:06:00.000-07:00

The Statesman (Kolkata), April 14, 2009

BHAWANIPATNA, April 13: During elections, Kalahandi turns out to be a favourite destination for the national level political leaders. They seem to be living in the past, when the district had earned notoriety for child sale and hunger deaths and fail to address real issues, as they are sadly out of touch with the problems faced by people of the district today.
Kalahandi has, to a large extent, overcome the acute poverty and distress-related child sale and hunger death syndrome. It has developed a fairly decent irrigation network and is faced with a multitude of new challenges and issues.
But political parties fail to appreciate the ground reality as they whirr around in choppers addressing election meetings.
With the election temperature rising the contesting candidates as well as their respective Central leaders, be it Mrs Sonia Gandhi, Mr Rahul Gandhi, Mr LK Advani or chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik, all have ignored the current issues concerning the people of this region.
The closest that they get to the matters concerning people here is when they refer to the KBK package, a decade old scheme or the more recent extension of it christened as Biju KBK programme.
The voters attend the election meetings with the hope of hearing the leaders addressing their problems like non-payment of support price to farmers, deplorable road condition, establishment of technical institutes and central university, mega projects like Vedanta Aluminium Plant related displacement and environment impacts.
Their hopes are based on the fact that some political leaders had raised some of these points before the elections.
But, strangely, with the campaign tempo picking up all of it has been engulfed by rhetoric, accusations against each other and promises.
For instance the Hati river problem. Surplus water of Indravati reservoir is released to the Hati river and during monsoon this causes flood almost every year. The river bridge gets submerged and road communication near Junagarh over NH 201 comes to a grinding halt for days till the water recedes.
Chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation stone for a second bridge over the river five years ago near Karmeli ghat and another near Junagarh.
But even after five years of his rule the bridges are yet to come up and still worse nobody questions nor does Mr Patnaik explain as to why he has not fulfilled the promise made five years ago.
The district does not have a technical education college. During last elections, foundation stone for a medical college at Jaring was laid with the promise that a 200 bed hospital will come up.
Not a brick has been laid over the last five years for this medical college and hospital project. The chief minister, however, continues to hop around in a chopper canvassing for votes telling people how his government was committed to uplift of tribals and development of backward regions.

People of the district have staged agitation demanding establishment of a central university, they have, in the past three to four years met the chief minister on this demand. No commitment has been made till date.

....................

Kalahandia group repeats demand of Central University in Kalahandi in its 2009 election manifesto

2009-04-07T07:45:00.000-07:00

merinews.com, 7th April, 2009

A non-profitable group Kalahadia has released a manifesto for '09 general election and assembly election in Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency that says the constituency is among the bottom five constituencies in India in socio-economic development.

“KALAHADIA” A non-profitable group consisting of intellectuals and people released its manifesto for 2009 general election and assembly election in Kalahandi Lok Sabha constituency. The manifesto says Kalahandi constituency is among the bottom five constituencies in India in socio-economic development. Kalahandi has to go a long way to meet national average standard in many social indicators and in human development index. To achieve long term sustainable growth Kalahandi needs simultaneous major developments in agriculture, infrastructure, higher education, technical education, health and industries apart from generous promises such as subsidy in rice, pulses, free power, etc by political parties during this election time.
Though these promises hold good for poor people it is short lived. It keeps people still in the same risky poverty level. Kalahandi at this moment needs intensive irrigation projects, new railway line, railway factory, a central university, state highway, new bridges and down stream industrial development. Many of these local demands and projects have not been addressed since past two decades despite promised made by Chief Minister of Orissa for a Central University and a high laying bridge over Hati River near Junagarh in past years. Manifesto highlights ten major important issues as:
.............................................
5. Health and hospital:
Branch of Central University of Orissa in Kalahandi including faculty of medicine and hospital.

6. Technical education:
Three Polytechnique colleges at Bhawanipatna, Nuapada and Dharamgarh

7. Higher education:
Unitary University for Government Autonomous College Bhawanipatna

.......................................

Indian Yatra points out aspiration of Kalahandi for a Central University

2009-04-03T13:05:00.000-07:00

India Yatra, Hindustan Times, April 3, 2009
http://blogs.hindustantimes.com/india-yatra/2009/04/03/there%e2%80%99s-no-hunger-in-hunger-capital/#more-236

........... The new demands reflect the new aspirations: A central university in Kalahandi; colleges for engineering and medical sciences; more teachers in schools; better prices for farm produce; and a railroad network to help improve business......

Youth Congress repeated Central University Demand

2009-02-07T11:22:00.000-08:00

The Pioneer, Feb 8, 2009
Pioneer News Service | Bhawanipatna

.................. Meanwhile, members of the District Youth Congress, led by president Abdul Sazid, blocked the road while CM was going to address a meeting in the Police Barrack demanding a Central University in the district. However, the police cleared the road. More than 50 Congress activists were arrested.

Proposed two colleges are no alternative for Central University, a prime demand

2009-01-07T05:03:00.000-08:00

Expressbuzz.com, 28th December, 2008

The State Government has decided to open an engineering college and an agriculture college in Kalahandi district................

..... Spokesperson of Kalahandi Central University Kriyanustan Committee Akshaya Kumar Nanda welcomed the decision and said in Bhawanipatna that the move will boost higher education in technical field in the district having no technical college.

However, the proposed two colleges are no alternative for Central university for which the people are fighting. Similarly, president of Sikshya Vikash Committee Gopabandhu Behera said setting up of a Central university is the prime demand of the people

Social scientists argue Niyamgiri was exploitation as there was no Vedanta University and Central University in Kalahandi

2008-11-25T23:46:00.000-08:00

merinews, Nov 26, 2008

........... We should remember that the multinationals are here to earn, they are not here to make charity. If they were so concerned about this place, why would they move ahead and build the hospital and university in Puridistrict, nearly 500 kms from Kalahandi? Minerals will be taken from Kalahandi. People of Kalahandi will suffer from diseases, but the hospital and university will be built somewhere else. Can anyone justify this? Kalahandi also needs a central university. It also needs a hospital.

Question to Ministry of Human Resource Development, Union Govt of India!

2008-11-21T08:57:00.000-08:00

In the 11th plan Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD), Union Government of India has proposed many IITs, IIMs, World Class Central Universities (WCCU), Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU), Central Universities, etc. in various states across India. The general criteria were available infrastructure and regional distribution of national institutions among various states.

Even industrialized and larger city like Nagpur (2.5 million populations) was NOT chosen over Bhubaneswar/ Mandi/Mohali for such establishments and Amarkantak (central location to tribal regions of Madhya Pradesh, Maharastra, Chhattissgarh, Jharkhand) was chosen for IGNTU over other tribal concentrated pockets in the Country.

However, the same criteria put forward by MHRD are being devalued by Orissa state Government.

For a Central University infrastructure should be suitable as per the requirement of faculties and students working/studying in such national institution from all across the nation irrespective of local population of the town. At least there should be regular train service available from the nearby railway station at the proposed site to various major cities in India.

For the above reason site in Kalahandi fits better than in Koraput for Central University.

It is to be seen what step MHRD, Union Govt. of India in this regard on political foul playing by Orissa Govt.?

Comparative Study between Kalahandi and Koraput for the proposed Central University in KBK region of Orissa

2008-11-21T08:53:00.000-08:00

Introduction:
Initially starvation death, famine and child selling were reported from undivided Kalahandi district of Orissa and since then Kalahandi is associated with starvation death and backwardness in the media. However, later on starvation death was also reported from the neighboring undivided Balangir district. The other neighboring district to Kalahandi is a tribal dominated backward undivided Koraput district. Therefore, for socio-economic development of the region in 1990s KBK developmental project was proposed by Govt. of India by combining undivided districts of Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput and since then politically and socially known as backward KBK region.

Demand for a Central University (CU) in KBK is a long standing issue since 1988. Initially in 1988 Kalahandi took a leading role regionally to establish such a University in Kalahandi. Later on social organizations such as Central University “Kalahandi Kriyanusthan Committee” and “Kalahandi Sikhya Bikash Parsishad” pursued this matter seriously since the year 2000 and many memorandums, individual letters, group letters, emails, fax letters were submitted to Orissa state Government and central Government from all over the world in the last few years to establish a CU in Kalahandi. A memorandum containing 80 000 signatures was submitted on 14 January 2002 to both central and state Government to establish a CU in Kalahandi. 4000 postcard letter were sent in this. Media has been continuously covering this matter.

In 2005-2006 the demand for a central University in KBK became serious with the involvement of intellectuals and non-resident Indians from the state (Reference: http://kbkcentral.blogspot.com/). Intellectuals and politicians across Orissa irrespective of party supported the idea. A proposal to establish a multi-campus University in KBK was also submitted to Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) through the Orissa Government. In fact, with similar idea MHRD later on proposed to establish Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) with multiple campuses across various states in India. Issue of a CU in KBK came to the parliament of India. In 2007 Mr Chandra Sekhar Sahu, honourable Union minister of Govt. of India gave a statement to the Business Standard to establish an Indian Institute of Information Technology in Berhampur (his home constituency) and Central University in Korpaut (constituency of another present sitting MP and senior congress leader from Orissa, Mr Giridhari Gomango).

Finally, Government of India proposed 31 central universities across India in the 11th plan.

These are:
(1) Indira Gandhi National Tribal University (IGNTU) at Amarkantak,
(2) 14 world class central universities (WCCU) to be distributed in tier II cities in various states across India (one in Orissa at Bhubaneswar), to be named as National University and
(3) 16 Central Universities (CU) to be located in the states that do not have any central university by 2008 (one in Orissa).

For the CU in category (3) many of the states in India proposed locations that are backward in higher education to minimize regional unequal distribution of higher educational institutions in the state level. Such as Tiruvarur in Tamil Nadu, Dehra in Himachal Pradesh, Gulberga in Karnataka, Sagar in Madhya Pradesh, Garhwal in Uttarakhand, Bilaspur in Chhattisgarh, Goa etc have been selected for the proposed central university under state quota (category 3) by various states in India. Orissa Government also decided to establish such University in KBK region due to on going public pressure to establish a central university in the backward KBK region. (Reference: http://kbkcentral.blogspot.com/).

A delegation from Kalahandi consisting of intellectuals and professionals met the Chief Minister of Orissa, Mr Naveen Patnaik in May 2008 to establish the KBK central University in Kalahandi as it is centrally located to all KBK districts and major towns in KBK and has land and infrastructure available. Chief Minister of Orissa promised the delegation to use his goodwill in MHRD and to write a letter to Government of India to establish KBK CU in Kalahandi (Reported on May 8, 2008, The New Indian Express, Bhubaneswar). Mr Jagannath Patnaik, the former minister of Orissa also met Ms Sonia Gandhi in this regard (Reported on May 31, 2008, The Pioneer, Bhubaneswar).

Land and map details of 882 acres site chosen in Kalahandi by the district collector and local people for the proposed CU were submitted to the Chief Minister of Orissa in the form of a video CD through the district collector on July 8. 2008 (Reported on August 11, 2008, The Statesman, Bhubaneswar). But without studying the matter and visiting the site, suddenly the Chief Minister of Orissa sent a letter to MHRD, Government of India to establish CU in Koraput (Reported on August 6, 2008, The Statesman, Bhubaneswar) surprising many people and bringing more controversy to the matter.

To identify locations/sites for the announced IITs, IIMs, WCCUs and IGNTU in the 11th plan two major important parameters put forward by MHRD, Government of India, are the available infrastructure and regional distribution of national higher educational institution among various states. Here taking into consideration the above two parameters and other relevant points comparison is made between Kalahandi and Koraput for the proposed CU in the KBK region of Orissa.

Comparison:
1. Infrastructure:
Infrastructure has been a serious criterion to choose a location while establishing IIT, IIM and WCCU in the 11th plan in various cities of India. For example air and rail connectivity was given preference to establish IIT and WCCU in the 11th plan.

Land:
Land is important but most of the institutions like CU, WCCU, IIT, IIM, IGNTU, etc coming across India are using forest land. In fact in Orissa forest land is being allotted partially or fully to industries like Vedanta, Posco, Arcelor-Mittal, Tata, Jindal, Birla, Nalco etc towards industrialization.

Kalahandi: 882 acres of forest land has already been identified in the vicinity of district headquarter, Bhawanipatan, by people of Kalahandi and district collector. As per central Government announcement 500 acres of land is required for the proposed CU. Tel River is flowing near to the site and linked with Indravati dam.

Koraput: No concrete detail has been given to the media. As per Chief Minister’s initial announcement 500 acres of land is available near to Koraput for the porposed CU. However, this may also require approval by the forest Department. Kolab dam is located near to Koraput.

Airport:
Kalahandi: Identified site in Kalahandi is about 200 km from the Raipur Airport by National Highway 217 and superstate highway and also by Railway. Since Raipur becomes the capital of Chhattisgarh state, the city is growing much faster. A planned city, Naya Raipur, is being built as capital of Chhattisgarh which would be little closer to the proposed site. Airport comes earlier than Raipur city saving another 15 km for people in Kalahandi. Raipur-Bhilai is nationally known for metal and power based industries. About 180 metal based industries are located around Raipur and a Jewllery park of national standard coming up in Raipur. Population of Raipur-Bhilai-Durg would be more than Cuttack-Bhubaneswar. Bhilai is known to be an educational center (for medial and engg) in India, in some sense was better known than Rourkela/Bhubaneswar at the national level for IIT and other entrance exams. With IIM, AIIMS branch, IIIT, NIT coming up around Raipur, CU in Kalahandi may receive additional support in education and research cooperation and collaboration.

Nagpur Airport is being built as one of the major International Airport in India and is located about 500 km from the identified site in Kalahandi. Nagpur is a highly industrialize city having population twice of that of Bhubaneswar-Cuttack combined. Nagpur is centrally located in India and links four major metro cities in India. Identified site for CU in Kalahandi is directly linked to Nagpur by National highway and railway in about 500 km (much less than the distance between Nagpur and Mumbai)

Visakhapatnam Airport is located in about 315 km by railway from the identified site by railway and state and national highway. A WCCU has been proposed in Vishakhapatnam.

Bhubaneswar Airport is located about 450 km from the identified site for CU in Kalahandi and linked by state highway and railway (via Sambalpur in about 512 km by railway).

Ranchi Airport is located in 515 km by railway from the identified site in Kalahandi.

Proposed regular airport in Jharsuguda is located in about 250 km from the identified site by national highway and railway.

There are direct trains available on regular basis from Kesinga station, near to the proposed site for CU, in Kalahandi to the above cities having regular airports.

An aerodrome/airstrip is located at Utkela in about 9 km from the proposed site which can be a regular airport in future.

Koraput:
Visakhapatnam Airport is located in about 215 km from the identified site by railway and state and national highways. Population of Vishakapatnam is lower than Bhubaneswar-Cuttack combined but much higher than Bhubaneswar alone. Visakhapatnam is an industrial town in Southern India, known for steel and port. A WCCC has been recently proposed in the city which may support CU in Koraput/Kalahandi.

Bhubaneswar airport is located in about 680 km by railway (via Vizianagaram)

Hyderabad airport is located in about 900 km from Koraput (via Vishakapatnam).

Raipur airport is located in about 516 km from Koraput (via Rayagada)

Nagpur airport is located in about 816 km from Koraput (via Rayagada)

Proposed regular airport in Jharsuguda is located in about 550 km from Koraput by railway.

There are direct trains available from Koraput station, near to the proposed site in Korpaut for CU, to only Visakhapatnam, Bhubaneswar and Howrah where as to reach most of the other cities in India from Koraput one needs to change train at Vishakhapatnam (215 km from Koraput) or Rayagada (173 km from Koraput).

An aerodrome/airstrip is located at Jeypore in about 15 km (as per Orissa CM’s announcement) from the proposed site which can be a regular airport in future.

Railway and Direct Train:
Kalahandi: The nearest regular train station to the proposed site in Kalahandi is at Kesinga located about 20-25 km from the proposed site. This distance is comparable to the distance between nearby railway station and various proposed sites for IIT/WCCU/IIM/CU and present IIT/CU in other locations in India. Titilagarh which is one of the railway junctions is next to Kesinga station could be reached in 10-15 minuted by train from Kesinga. Direct trains are available from Kesinga to Vishakhapatnam, Howrah, Delhi, Chennai, Bangalore, Ahemadabad, Nagpur, Sambalpur, Bhubaneswar, Rourkela, Ranchi, Jamsedpur, Bokaro, Allepy, Raipur, Nagpur, Korba, Bilaspur etc and to Mumbai from Titilagarh. With recently proposed bridge over Tel River Titlagarh railway station can be reached within less than an hour from the proposed site for CU in Kalahandi. Kesinga station directly comes in the Vishakhapatnam – Raipur and Vishakhapatnam – Ranchi railway route (one of the oldest railway track in western Orissa). Rail connection to Bhawanipatna will be functional soon and would impact locally for the proposed site.

Koraput: The site is clearly unknown but various sources mention that the distance from Koraput railway station to the proposed site would be in between 15 to 30 km. Direct trains are available from Koraput to Vishakhapatnam, Howrah, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur and Rourkela only. To reach most of the other major cities like, Delhi, Chennai. Mumbai, Bangalore, Nagpur etc in the country from Koraput one has to change train at either Rayagada (173 km from Koraput by train) or Visakhapatnam (215 km from Koraput by train). Frequency of passenger train at Koraput station is also much lower than Kesinga station and very much lower than Titilagarh station (13 km from Kesinga station). Koraput station comes under Koraput – Rayagada and Kottavalasa-Kirandul (largely for iron ore transportation) railway lines and it has limited passenger train services.

Road:
Kalahandi: National Highway 201 and 217 passes though Kalahandi directly linking it with Raipur, Nagpur, Sambalpur and Koraput. Superhighway and NH 5 connects it with Vishakhapatnam and Bhubaneswar.

Koraput: National Highway 201 and 43 passes though Koraput directly linking it with Bhubaneswar, Vishkhapatnam, Sambalpur and Bhawanipatna. NH43 connects it with Raipur and Nagpur.

2. Regional Distribution in KBK:
Realizing unequal distribution of higher educational institution among various states in India, in the 11th plan MHRD has given maximum importance to distribute IIT/IIM, WCCU and CU among various states equally. In case of establishing IGNTU at Amarkantak MHRD also pointed out that Amarkantak was selected because it is a central point in the tribal areas stretching between Madhya Pradesh, Chhattishgarh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra. In the context of KBK central location should also get equal importance while establishing CU in KBK region.

Kalahandi: Kalahandi is centrally located not only to all KBK districts but also to backward region of Orissa in South Western region such as KBK districts plus Kandhamal, Bouda, Gajpati, Bargarh districts which are reported together by World Bank as most backward region in the country (Map given in Annexure A and B). Bhawanipatna is also centrally located among the major towns such as Koraput, Balangir, Rayagada, Titilagarh, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Phulbani, Bouda, Sonepur, Padampur, Bargarh, Sambalpur, Jeypore, Sunbeda etc in KBK and other equally backward and tribal pockets in the region.

Towns having population 30 000 or above in Orissa within 200 km radius of Bhawanipatan/proposed site for CU: Koraput, Jeypore, Sunabeda, Rayagada, Phulbani, Balangir, Bargarh, Burla, Sambalpur, Phulbani, Titilagarh, Nabarangpur

Koraput: Koraput is located in the Southern part of KBK and Orissa but the region has been developed as an industrial zone with Damanjodi, Sunabeda and Jeypore located near to it.

Towns having population 30 000 or above in Orissa within 200 km radius of Koraput/proposed site for CU: Koraput, Jeypore, Sunabeda, Rayagada, Bhawanipatna, Nabarangpur

3. Social Point of View
Kalahandi: Kalahandi is the place which highlighted first time starvation death, backwardness and acute poverty in the region. Since then it is internationally well known and being often used as synonyms for backwardness and starvation death in media and by social workers. Though there are poverties and backwardness, there is substantial percentage of local people in Kalahandi who totally depends on education to support their life. Kalahandi has been a great contender for higher education development in Orissa despite political and social adverse conditions. Government College Bhawanipatna was chosen as Potential Center of Excellence by University Grant Commission (UGC) among the first three colleges in Orissa and it was the only college in KBK region to receive such an honor. This was one of the first districts to demand a CU in the region.

CU brings not only direct opportunities to qualified and educated mass, but also indirect employment for laborer, construction workers, tea seller, local vender, book store, restaurants, etc. State University like Sambalpur University generates contracts in ten of lakhs/crore of rupees for local people every year, a central university can every year generate contracts at least in crores rupees for local contractors and laborer. In Kalahandi and Nuapada region there is limited opportunity for construction laborer and workers. There is already a large migration of laborer and construction workers from Kalahandi, Nuapada and Balangir districts which is well known in the media. CU would bring opportunities for those people partially/fully reducing migration of laborer to other states and thus will boost the local business community in a sustainable long term.

Koraput: Koraput was the place which is dominated by tribal. Life of Bonda and Paraja tribes in this region is internationally well known. Earlier many industries (some of which were initially proposed in Kalhandi but finally denied) were established in Koraput region to uplift tribal people in Koraput but it has hardly changed the life of local tribal rather it has brought large migration from other parts of Orissa to tribal land. Though Koraput has flourished in industrial development it has hardly improved life of local tribal. Recently this region is also largely affected by Maoists activities and violence.
Koraput already has many industries providing multiple contracts of amount tens of crores on construction. Contracts of few crore rupees would not make much difference to the local laborer in Koraput compared to Kalahandi. Migration of laborer is very serious concern in Kalahandi, Nuapada and Balangir region compared to Koraput region.

4. Political Point of View
Kalahandi: Association of starvation death and backwardness with Kalahandi in the media circle has generated a bad name for Kalahandi. General impression for the people in costal Orissa and rest of India is such that people hardly believe Kalahandi is one of the large pulse generating and food secured among districts in Orissa though there are acute poverty and backwardness in many corners of the district. Due to starvation death there is a severe ignorance and negligence towards Kalahandi in general mass and political circle, particularly in Orissa administration. Kalahandi does not have any political support in Chief Minister Office, Prime Minister Office or MHRD. Local MP is from BJP and seems that some BJP MPs from Orissa are having hard time with Chief Minister of Orissa due to difference in opinions on some developmental project in Orissa since past years.

Koraput: Sunabeda region has one of the beautiful landscapes. There are many industries in Sunabeda, Damanjodi, Jeypore and Koraput region. Though population of Bhawanipatna is larger than Koraput town, Sunabeda-Koraput-Jeypore has the potential to be developed as major urban area in KBK having combined population of about 200,000 whereas similar urban area Jungarh-Bhawanipatna-Kesinga combined population would be about 100,000. Higher number of employees in industries at Damanjodi, Jeypore, Sunbeda and Koraput come from Costal part of Orissa and through them people in Costal Orissa know a bit more about this region compared to Kalahandi and Balangir region. Because of this there is sympathy for this region by state political leaders from costal part of Orissa. Mr Giridhari Gomago is a senior Congress leader representing Koraput. Being one of the senior congress leaders in the nation and former Chief Minister of Orissa he may have influence in Congress party, PMO and MHRD. There are speculations that some of the state political leaders may have personal assets in Koraput region and a close friend of Chief Minister of Orissa represents one of the constituencies in the region. Recently there was also a mass rally by BJD in Koraput district where Orissa Chief Minister repeated his announcement to establish CU in Koraput district.

Discussion and Conclusion
Koraput has the advantage of urban Koraput-Sunabeda-Jeypore industrial zone, beautiful landscape and political support/backing in the state as well as central Governments for the proposed CU in KBK, where as Kalahandi has advantage of presently available infrastructure such as rail, road, airport, airstrip and central location to all KBK district as well as KBK plus other backward districts of Kandhamal, Boud and Bargarh.

Practically a regular airport with commercial flights is more important than an airstrip or airport without commercial flight for a CU unless in case of emergency. Rourkela is second largest city in Orissa and is struggling to get commercial flights till recently. Rather Orissa Govt. and Govt. of India have proposed to upgrade airstrip at Jharsuguda to a regular airport to bring commercial flights. It might not be easy to get commercial flights to Jeypore or Utkela (Kalahandi) airstrips in near future unless a miracle happens.

On the other hand, for CU proposed in KBK railway connectivity is much more important than flight connectivity as most of the students and faculties in India internally use railway service more often then flights. Koraput seriously suffer in direct trains to major cities of India and the situation will not change soon where as Kalahandi has biggest advantage having direct trains to most of the major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Raipur, Bhubaneswar etc in a regular basis.

Currently, MHRD has given preference to presently available infrastructure and central location of the institution over population of city, industries, and political lobby while establishing IGNTU, IIT/IIM, WCCU, etc in the nation. For example fast growing industrial city like Nagpur (urban and industrialized city with above 2.3 million populations) or Ootty/Manali (beautiful landscape) was not chosen over Amarkantak, MP or Mandi, HP for IGNTU/IIT. MHRD has also downplayed IIT demand in Kota, Rajasthan due to infrastructure requirement for IIT in the same manner Orissa Govt. ignored IIT demand in Sambalpur-Jharsuguda and Berhampur region. In case industries and urbanization were considered then Rourkela or Sambalpur-Jharsuguda has more advantages over many other locations including Koraput for the proposed CU in Orissa.

Sunabeda was a forest when there was no MIG factory. Today it is one of the urban areas in KBK region. Koraput, Jeypore and Sunabeda have developed today due to industries whereas without having any major industry Bhawanipatna is third largest urban area in KBK after Balangir and Jeypore showing importance of the town for whole KBK region. With Vedanta refinery (25 km from Bhawanipatna) and a CU tomorrow it may develop more than like a Sunabeda in KBK region. Therefore, industry, urbanization and landscape should not be the main concern over available infrastructure and central location. This is even clear from the recently proposed other institutions such IGNTU, IIT, IIM, WCCU etc across India by MHRD.

It is to be seen what action MHRD, Govt. of India is taking while establishing CU in KBK region though Orissa state Govt. has communicated MHRD to establish it in Koraput and people of Kalahandi have already submitted many petitions to the central Government on gross injustice towards Kalahandi while establishing CU in KBK region by letters. Final decision from MHRD and Govt. of India is awaited.

Reference:
1. For distance calculation: http://www.indianrail.gov.in/cgi_bin/inet_trnpath_cgi.cgi
2. For Population census 2001: http://www.citypopulation.de/India-Orissa.html
3. To check train service to Kesinga/Koraput: http://www.indianrail.gov.in
4. To check National Highway route in Kalahandi/Koraput: http://www.nhai.org/

ANNEXURE A: Map showing geographical epicenter of KBK Alone

2008-11-21T08:51:00.000-08:00

Map of KBK showing geographical epicenter located in Kalahandi calculated by scientific procedure.

Annexure B: Central location for KBK plus Gajpati, Boudh, Kandhamal and Bargarh Districts

2008-11-21T08:44:00.000-08:00

From Worldbank report the districts in South and South Orissa including KBK known for backwardness and poverty are: Kalahandi, Nuapada, Balangir, Sonepur, Koraput, Malkangir, Nabarangpur, Rayagada, Gajpati, Kandhamal (Phulbani), Bouda, Bargarh (Padampur subdivision). This region is shown below in the Orissa map by a hand drawn bold line. The bold line in the map clearly shows Kalahandi, specially location of Bhawanipatna is best suitable as central location for whole region and has all the necessary infrastructure for a institute of higher learning. Bhawanipatna should be developed as a regional centre for whole region but Orissa state Govt. has always ignored it over Koraput due to ill political and bureaucratic motivations.

Plea of not getting land for Central varsity in Kalahandi false

2008-11-21T08:43:00.001-08:00

The Pioneer, Sept 24, 2008
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar

To divert public demand of a Rs 350-crore Central University in Kalahandi since two decades, the State Government is rather generating false propaganda saying that the district does not have land for a Central University though there are plenty of lands available in Kalahandi, alleged leading non-resident Oriya Digambara Patra.

Patra, who is Assistant Professor of Chemistry at the American University in Beirut, in a letter to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, has stated that if the State and Central Governments could use forestland, unused land and even agricultural land for IIT, Central University, industries in other parts of the State and country, it is foolish to argue that such a step cannot be taken in Kalahandi.

The State Government is providing thousands of acres of lands to Posco, Arcelor-Mittal, Vedanta, Tatas, Jindal and Bhushan, across the State which are not only agricultural, private and Government lands but also large section of the lands acquired for industrialisation in the State comes under forest lands.

Kalahandi has a geographical area of 7920 sqkm out of which 2538 sqkm (32 per cent) are forest land (private independent sources claim in actual only 10-18 per cent are left over as forest land in Kalahandi by now due to deforestation and rest of the forest lands are only unused land by now (though officially it belongs to Forest Department).

Despite high population and congestion major cities like Pune, Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Chennai, Kolkata, Chandigarh, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, Delhi can find land for establishing new Central institutes, universities in their vicinity for development, then it is useless to repeat Orissa Government cannot find land in Kalahandi and it can find in Koraput when Kalahandi has plenty of land like but not limited to forest and unused lands in Karlapada and Jaring near Bhawanipatna and agricultural land near its vicinity, stated Patra.

The population density of Kalahandi is 169 per sq km, much less than the State (236 per sqkm) than Puri, Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack. Vedanta Alumina could easily acquire 2000 acres of land in Kalahandi for its refinery therefore arguing Kalahandi does not have 500 acres of land for a central University is based on false propaganda, political ill motivation and ignorance towards Kalahandi rather than factual data by the State Government, alleged Patra.

Naveen! See beyond Cuttack

2008-11-21T08:40:00.000-08:00

Tathya.in, 7th September, 2008
Sambalpur:7/September/2008

Non Resident Oriyas (NRO)s have charged Naveen Patnaik of narrow mindedness. They have justified the demands of the students and civil society for declaring University College of Engineering (UCE) Burla as a Unitary State University. When the Chief Minister of Orissa him self adopts partisan attitude over distribution of National Level Educational Institutions, various parts of the state is bound to face marginalization, feel leading educationists and NROs For Professor Chitta Baral, who is on the forefront of in leading the state on educational activism has lamented over the narrow-minded ness of the ruler. Professor Baral said with heavy heart that Orissa is not Bhubaneswar-Cuttack-Puri (B-C-P). The land of 1, 55,707 square kilometers has to be seen beyond B-C-P, said he. But alas! The State Government is not looking beyond the coastal zone and marginalizing the entire Western Zone of the state, alleged he. Dr. Digambara Patra, another leading voice on education matters echo the voice of Professor Baral. He has proved with factual data and facts that the Chief Minister is marginalizing the Western Orissa at the coast of the Coastal Orissa. Giving out details Dr.Patra said that just few days before of sending a letter for IIT and Central University in Orissa to HRD ministry, Chief Minister of Orissa sent a similar letter to Union Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) asking to convert UCE Burla to a National Institute of Technology (NIT). The Chief Minister jolly well knows that MHRD has often pointed out that NIT would be established in those states where there is no NIT presently. That means the letter was just to eyewash Western Orissa people, said Dr.Patra. Professor Baral said that UCE Burla well deserves a state University, but Orissa Government again asked the Principal of the institution to file papers for a Deemed University to University Grants Commission (UGC). Declaration of Deemed University is in the hands of the Central Government and it will take a long time. Most of the Deemed Universities do not receive much funds from UGC. So what is the point!, asks Professor Baral. On the other hand most get UGC funding after they become 12 (B) eligible. The State Government can on its own declare UCE to be a State University by passing a bill. If Government of Orissa could do it for Ravenshaw College, which has already become 12 (B) eligible, why can not it do it for UCE, Burla?, asked he. Is it because Ravenshaw is in Cuttack and UCE Burla is in Sambalpur?, queried Professor Baral. Dr.Patra said that Kalahandi is central place to whole KBK region and Bhawanipatna is centrally located to all major towns in KBK. Those include backward pockets (as per the World Bank) in the region like Bouda, Balangir, Titilagarh, Padampur, Nuapada, Phulbani, Rayagada, Nabrangpur, Koraput, Patnagarh, Bargarh, etc. Despite promise made by the Chief Minister to a delegation from Kalahandi and also having all other infrastructure, Mr.Patnaik backed out. The State Government later proposed to shift the Central University in KBK to Koraput. The Central Government is establishing a National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER), an AIIMS like institute and an Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Bhubaneswar. Despite that Orissa Government has established IIIT again in Bhubaneswar. Another IIIT is being considered for Berhampur, said he. National educational institute should be equally distributed all over the region specially, for a state like Orissa where geographical distance is great. However the Western Orissa is regularly marginalized by Orissa Government and its mandarins. Does it make any sense to establish a Committee to address regional disparities in the state when the State Government and Orissa Chief Minister themselves are seriously marginalizing Western Orissa in setting up National educational institutes?, asked an agitated Dr.Patra.

Kalahandi residents irked over location of Central varsity

2008-11-21T08:39:00.001-08:00

The Pioneer, 19th August, 2008
Pioneer News Service Bhubaneswar

Educated youth in general and intelligentsia in particular in Kalahandi district are angry with the Naveen Patnaik Government as their aspiration to have the State's first Central University at the district headquarters town of Bhawanipatna has been shattered.
The Chief Minister's recent decision to ask the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to set up the proposed Central University in Koraput instead of Kalahandi has irked the people of Kalahandi.
According to them, Bhawanipatna is more suitable for the university, but being allegedly misguided by political and bureaucratic advisors, the Chief Minister took the decision in favour of Koraput.
"The unusual behaviour of the Chief Minister indicates his loss of rationality," lamented Digambara Patra, leading voice of Kalahandi residents in the international forum. Prof Patra, in a letter to Patnaik, has charged him with political motive.
The Chief Minister has ignored the educationally backward areas of the KBK region in view of the impending elections, he has stated.
Prof Patra has said that the decision on the location of the Central University has been taken without studying the ground realities.
The decision is, therefore, hurting 'Kalahandias' most as they were lobbying hard with the MHRD for the Central University, while not a soul from Koraput ever raised a voice for it.
Prof Patra, who teaches in the American University of Beirut, has appealed to President Pratibha Patil and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh do justice to the people of Kalahandi by forcing the State Govt to change its decision and locate the world-class university at Bhawanipatna.

Kalahandias angry over Naveen

2008-11-21T08:38:00.001-08:00

Tathya, 18th August, 2008

Naveen Patnaik will have tough time in Kalahandi. Educated youths of district in general and intelligentsia in particular are angry with the Chief Minister. With their aspiration to have the First Central University at Bhawanipatna being shattered, they have branded Mr. Patnaik as a ‘manipulator’. The Chief Minister’s recent controversial decision to ask the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) to set up the proposed Central University at Koraput instead of Kalahandi have irked them. According to them, Bhawanipatna was more suitable for the World Class Institution, but allegedly misguided by political and bureaucratic advisors, the Chief Minister decided in favor of Koraput. “The unusual behavior by the Chief Minister indicates his lose of rationality”, lamented Digambara Patra, leading voice of Kalahandias in the international forum. Professor Patra in a scathing letter has charged Mr.Patnaik being politically motivated and a leader of myopic vision. The budding educationist has alleged that Mr.Patnaik has ignored the educationally backward areas of KBK in view of the impending general and state elections. A politically motivated Chief Minister has done more damage to the areas of Kalahandi than any body else, lamented Prof.Patra. Prof.Patra has said that without studying the ground realities, the decision to establish the Central University was taken. This decision is hurting Kalahandias most as they were lobbying hard with the MHRD for the Central University, while not a soul from Koraput ever raised a voice for the same. He has appealed the President Mrs. Pratibha Patil to look into the matter and give justice to the most backward areas of KBK. An appeal letter to the Prime Minister Dr. Man Mohan Singh has also been made to provide justice to the millions of people of Kalahandi by forcing the State Government to change its decision and place the World Class Central University at Bhawanipatna, said Dr.Patra.

Youth Cong demands Central varsity in Kalahandi

2008-11-21T08:37:00.000-08:00

The Pioneer, 17th August, 2008

Bhawanipatna: District Youth Congress members took out a mashal yatra on Thursday demanding establishment of a Central university in Kalahandi. The DYC members marched from the College Chowk to the district Collectorate shouting slogans like 'Naveen Patnaik down, down.' Notably, the State Government has decided to set up a Central university in Koraput. The procession was organised under the leadership of DYC president Abdul Sazid. Ras Bihari Behera, Chinmay Behera, Bharat Bhusan Bemal and Kumarmani Sabar were also present.

Delegation calls on CM

2008-11-21T08:36:00.002-08:00

The New Indian Express, Aug 14, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: The Central University Action Committee of Kalahandi district has threatened to launch an agitation if the central university (CU) is not established in the district. It has also called upon all the local ministers and MLAs to resign in protest.

A delegation of the panel along with ministers, MLAs and senior citizens of the district met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to discuss the demand.

They countered the impression that land will be a problem if the varsity is set up in the district.

They told the Chief Minister that establishment of a CU in the district is a long standing demand and a memorandum was submitted to the Chief Minister in this connection on January 14, 2002. Besides, several memoranda have been submitted to the Centre during the last few years.

Sources said, the Chief Minister said that he had already announced establishment of the central varsity in Koraput which cannot be changed now. However, he promised that he would announce a similar thing for the district after the model code of conduct is lifted.

Central varsity in Kalahandi demanded

2008-11-21T08:36:00.001-08:00

The Hindu, Aug 13, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: A delegation comprising legislators, academicians and other elected representatives from Kalahandi district met Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here on Tuesday and demanded that the proposed Central University should be established in their district.

Many of the leaders in the delegation, who belonged to the ruling Biju Janata Dal alliance.

Central varsity in Kalahandi demanded

2008-11-21T08:34:00.000-08:00

The Kalingatimes, 13th August, 2008
KalingaTimes CorrespondentBhubaneswar, Aug 13:
A large delegation of elected people's representatives, senior citizens and academicians from backward Kalahandi on Tuesday urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to facilitate establishment of the proposed Central University in their district.
At a meeting with Patnaik at the State Secretariat here, the delegation, which comprised leaders from different political parties, demanded that the proposed Central University should be established in Kalahandi instead of Koraput.
The members of the recently formed Central University Coordination Committee of Kalahandi told media persons that the Chief Minister should take necessary initiative to set up the proposed university in the district as it had remained one of the most backward regions of the state all these years.
It may be recalled that Patnaik had recently written to Union Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh requesting him to establish the Central University at Koraput.
Patnaik has said in his letter to Singh that establishment of the Central University at Koraput would reduce the existing regional imbalance with regard to higher educational institutions in the state.
Patnaik had also said that 500 acres of land and other facilities were available in Koraput for the proposed varsity.
What is interesting is that Patnaik had urged the Centre to set up the proposed university at Koraput despite giving an assurance to a delegation from Kalahandi in May this year that he would write to the Centre for establishment of the institution in their district.

Row over location of proposed varsity in Koraput

2008-11-21T08:33:00.000-08:00

The Statesman, 11th August, 2008

Chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik’s suggestion to locate the proposed Central University at Koraput has evoked strong protests here. The Kalahandi Kriyanusthan Committee which was canvassing for the varsity has described Mr Patnaik’s decision as 'whimsical.' Denouncing the CM for having gone back on his earlier promise, the organisation threatened to launch an agitation in the district. Convenor of the Kalahandi Kriyanusthan Committee Dr Lambodar Sahu said: "Since two decades people of Kalahandi have been demanding a central university." Terming the CM’sdecision as an act of betrayal, the organisation said on 6 April 2008 an all party delegation from Kalahandi had met the chief minister and apprised him about the demand. The chief minister agreed and instructed the Kalahandi district collector to locate suitable land for the proposed varsity. A suitable and feasible site was identified near Karlapada. The site had all the pre-requsites ~ an air strip at a distance of just 9 km, the World Bank financed super high way passing through the site and its distance from the district headquarter was barely 20 km. The land details along with the map was submitted to the CM through the collector on 8 July. After all this the CM suddenly shot off a request letter to the Central government asking it to locate the proposed central university in Koraput district, decried Dr Sahu. "Kalahandi is perpetually neglected and despite being rich in natural and human resources it continues to remain in the poverty zone. Citing another instance of neglect, he said the KBK headquarter ought to have been in Bhawanipatna but for some strange reasons it was not done. Similarly there is no effort to locate the headquarter of the Western Orissa Development Council, at Kalahandi, he noted. Mr Sahu informed that a delegation will once again call on the CM and try to impress upon him that the central varsity should be established in Kalahandi district. Meanwhile the Kriyanusthan Committee has drawn up plans to launch a mass movement from next week.

Naveen betrayed Kalahandias

2008-11-21T08:32:00.000-08:00

Tathya, 6th August, 2008
Bhawanipatna:6/August/2008

The people of Kalahandi feel betrayed and are anguished over the sincerity of Naveen Patnaik. The decision of the Government of Orissa to ask the Centre to set up the Central University at Koraput has naturally irked the people of Kalahandi. So the leading Non Resident Oriya(NRO) Digambara Patra has sent a missive to Man Mohan Singh, the Prime Minister asking him to intervene. Dr.Patra alleged that Orissa Government has been serious in ill treating certain backward region like Kalahandi and bringing more regional rivalry among various region in KBK region. Mr Patnaik’s Government has repeatedly ignored requirement of KBK region by not providing any support in higher educational institutes. He has established similar institute in his home district like Berhampur (a new engineering college, and IIIT) where there are already State Government funded medical college, university, diploma college and many private engineering institutes. On the other hand Kalahandi which is in actual epicenter of KBK region (NIC data shows it) does not possess any Government or private engineering college or university. Dr.Patra has alleged that Chief Minister is playing with emotion of people of Kalahandi and western Orissa region. Initially he promised to establish the Central University in Kalahandi. Chief Minister Mr. Patnaik has assured a delegation from Kalahandi district that he will pressurize the Centre to set up a Central University in Kalahandi district. A 25-member delegation led by Minister of State for Law and Employment Pradipta Kumar Nayak met the Chief Minister at the Secretariat on 7 May. The delegation impressed upon the Chief Minister about the need for establishment of a central university in Kalahandi district as it is educationally backward. The district has all infrastructure facilities for establishment of a Central University and the demand has been pending since 1988. The delegation comprising former ministers Balabhadra Majhi, Himansu Sekhar Meher and legislator Pushpendra Singhdeo impressed upon Mr.Patnaik for the University. After hearing from the delegation, Mr.Patnaik assured that he will write a letter to Human Resources Development (HRD) ministry about setting up the varsity in Kalahandi.However, now he has changed his mind and shifted the Central University to Koraput as reported in the media. Mr Patnaik was often criticized by his rival politicians as 'betrayer'. In this case, unfortunately, the CM has played the betrayal game in regional basis to rule Orissa state. Mr Patanik is playing divide and rule among various regions in KBK region to rule Orissa state, which would severely cost to the integrity of the state/nation, he alleged. As suggested earlier Orissa would get another central university such as “Indira Gandhi National Tribal University” for which Koraput would have been the ideal choice due to predominant tribal population there. The ground level problems in Koraput is not well being studied (since there are many industries in Koraput region compared to other parts of the state but still local tribal people are backward and suffering), so such educational institute based on life of tribal people is imminent in this region. By shifting the Central University from Kalahandi to Koraput, the Government is betraying Kalahandi and its people and whole of the western Orissa region. Dr.Patra has hoped that being the Prime minister of India Dr.Singh will correct the politically motivated steps taken by Mr.Patnaik. He urged upon the Prime Minister to establish the Central University in Kalahandi and branch of Indira Gandhi National Tribal University in Koraput.
Sanjib Kumar Karmee, another leading NRO have also requested the Prime Minister to intervene in the matter and give justice to Kalahandi.
Dr.Karmee, who stays in Germany has sent the missive to Dr. Singh.
Now protest letters are pouring in, because for last many years enlightened Kalahandias were seriously lobbying for the educational and social development of the worst backward area of the country.
And with Naveen's decision they feel totally betrayed, alleged another leading voice Madhusmita Panda.

Jagannath Patnaik meets Sonia

2008-11-21T08:29:00.002-08:00

The Pioneer, May 31, 2008
Pioneer News Service | Bhubaneswar

Senior Congress leader of the State and former Revenue Minister Jagannath Patnaik met AICC president Sonia Gandhi at her residence in New Delhi on Friday.

He informed her about the present political situation of the State and "failure" of the BJD-BJP Government in executing the various Centrally-sponsored projects.

Patnaik informed her about the various dimensions of the KBK schemes and stressed upon a review of their implementation at the Central level. He also requested for establishment of a Central University in Kalahandi district.

Patnaik also held talks with Union Planning Minister Narayan Swami and AICC secretary in charge of Orissa Ajay Maken, according to a release here.

Central varsity: CM promises to use his good offices with Centre

2008-11-21T08:29:00.001-08:00

The New Indian Express, May 8, 2008

BHUBANESWAR: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has assured a delegation from Kalahandi district that he will pressurise the Centre to set up a central university in Kalahandi district.

A 25-member delegation led by Minister of State for Law and Employment Pradipta Kumar Nayak met the Chief Minister at the Secretariat on Tuesday. The delegation impressed upon the Chief Minister about the need for establishment of a central university in Kalahandi district as it is educationally backward.

The district has all infrastructure facilities for establishment of a central university and the demand has been pending since 1988, the delegation comprising former ministers Balabhadra Majhi, Himansu Sekhar Meher and legislator Pushpendra Singhdeo said.

After hearing from the delegation, Naveen assured that he will write a letter to Human Resources Development (HRD) ministry about setting up the varsity in Kalahandi.

NROs battle for Central varsity at Bhawanipatna

2008-11-21T08:27:00.001-08:00

The Pioneer, 22nd April, 2008
Pioneer News Service Bhubaneswar

In an effort to provide better education facilities, the Non-resident Oriyas (NROs) from various parts of the world demanded a Central University at Bhawanipatna, the headquarters of Kalahandi district, which is the epicentre of Orissa's most backward KBK (undivided districts of Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput) zone.
After the Government of India announced to set up two Central Universities in the State, officials and planners are busy finding sites in the developed urban areas. But nobody is thinking about the rural and remote areas, lamented leading NRO Digambara Patra, who teaches at the American University of Beirut. He feels in the current scenario no importance is given to the rural and remote area in the matter of technical and higher education.
"Unfortunately, many in our political and administrative circles do not have a complete idea of a backward area like the KBK region in Orissa, which is reflected in their very poor judgment while establishing national institutes," echoed Madhusmita Panda, an NRO from Lebanon. She pointed out that the Central University in the North-Eastern States, which are inaccessible, hilly and extremist torn areas, have done quite fine. The NERIST in Arunachal Pradesh http://www.nerist.ac.in/ is doing quite well. When IIT Guwahati was established, many academicians were thinking nobody would go to teach there, but today it is one of the best technical institutes employing the best brains across the country as its faculties, she said.
Lingaraj Patra from Tokyo said that unless a chance is provided to the KBK area on the assumption that the Central University that they would not get the right kind of faculty, the people there would never get out of their backwardness. Two decades ago, Assam was inaccessible; today it is a destination for higher education because of its IIT and Central Universities.
Detailing out the facilities, Digambara Patra said that Kalahandi in fact has many advantages for location of a Central University. It is not only the epicentre of all the KBK districts having its borders with the other five KBK districts and additionally with other backward districts of Boudh and Kandhamal. It is well connected by road through NH-201 and links Visakhapatnam, Raipur, Bhubaneswar, Sambalpur, Berhampur and all the headquarters of KBK, Boudh and Phulbani districts. The Kesinga railway station is located within 26 km of Bhawanipatna, and the direct railway link to Bhawanipatna via Lanjigarh is almost complete.
Besides, Raipur airport is directly linked by road and located about 220 km from Bhawanipatna. Raipur has daily air connectivity to most of the major cities in India. Moreover, an aerodrome at Utkela is hardly 12 km away. To start with, the Government Autonomous College of Bhawanipatna is one of the best colleges in the KBK region imparting teaching up to PG classes, said Madhusmita Panda. The achievements of the college include the status of Potentiality for Excellence by the UGC. It is one of the three colleges in Orissa to have been honoured with this award in the first phase.
To start the university at present, the built-up area of the Government College campus at Bhawanipatna is 60 acres of land, and towards its north-east more than 100 acres of land is lying vacant, pointed out Patra.

Kalahandi deserves central univ

2008-11-21T08:18:00.002-08:00

Tathya, 21st March, 2008

Digambara Patra sitting thousands of miles away from Kalahandi is worried for the most backward and poverty stricken zone of the country. A leading educationist non resident Oriya (NRO) Dr.Patra, who teaches at the American University of Beirut in Lebanon, has demanded the proposed KBK Central University to be established at Bhawanipatana, district headquarters of Kalahandi. While politicians are maintaining eerie silence over the establishment of the demand of a Central University in Kalahandi, Dr.Patra has prepared the road map for the same and has demanded it with all sorts of justifications. In a memorandum to the President of India, Dr.Patra has outlined the urgent need for a Central University in this part of the country. While lauding the agenda of the Centre to establish KBK Central University during the Eleventh Plan, he demanded it with full justifications for placing it at Bhawanipatana. To begin with he said that the concept KBK originated from Kalahandi, where Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi and of late Rahul Gandhi visited the worst poverty stricken zone of the country. Kalahandi is located at the epicenter of KBK (Kalahandi-Balangir-Koraput), where due to political reasons economic and social development has taken a back seat. For example recently the state Government of Orissa decided to establish its Headquarters of KBK at Koraput without considering other parts of KBK and rather bringing a regional/local confrontation among local people in KBK. The central government has established IIT, IIM and central universities in northeastern states and a proposed tribal Central University in Amarkantak, but Kalahandi was never in considered for such opportunities. This shows lack of seriousness of our great leaders and Gandhi dynasty for development of Kalahandi and KBK. Geographically Kalahandi happens to be the Centre of the entire KBK districts and including some other backward districts like Gajapati, Kandhamal etc. The headquarters of these districts are about 200 kms from Bhawanipatna. Kalahandi, moreover, is a link between Chhatisgarh and Andhra Pradesh and other parts of Orissa State through air, railway and road. Historically, present day Kalahandi served as Political hub and cultural sanctuary of ancient Atavika [4th-3rd century B.C] and Mahakantara [4th –5th century A.D] to which modern KBK districts forms a part. It is predominantly a tribal area, where primitive tribes like Khond, Gond, Brinjal, Saura and Godva etc live since time immemorial. Their archaic tribal culture adds luster to the existing natural resources and cultural relics of Kalahandi in particular and Orissa in general. Kalahandi has only one Government college situated at Bhawanipatna namely Government Autonomous College imparting teaching upto Post Graduation (PG) classes. This institution has the status of Potentiality for Excellence by the University Grants Commission (UGC). A high powered committee of the UGC visited recently and have expressed great satisfaction with the progress. No other college of KBK districts has received such rare distinction by the UGC of India. NACC team visited this college in 2005 and has conferred B++ grade. The grade could have been higher if the staff position would have been 75% of the UGC norm. It is the State Government which appoints people for teaching and non teaching activities. This premier college has been catering to the academic need of the students of the neighboring areas such as Nowrangpur, Nuapada, Khariar, Saintala –Titilagarh, Muniguda-Gunpur, Rayagada etc of KBK districts. The college is ideally situated on the side of NH that connects Visakhapattanam and Raipur [Andhra- Chhatisgarh State] on the one hand and Bhubaneswar–Sambalpur- Berhampur–Jaipur-Bolangir-Phulbani of Orissa on the other hand. An aerodrome at Utkela is hardly 12 Km away from the college campus. The Kesinga railway station is located within 26 Km of its reach and the direct railway link to Bhawanipatna via Lanjigarh is being established. Available Infrastructure is enough for the proposed Central University, said Dr.Patra The college is imparting teaching in 18 diverse disciplines of Arts, Commerce and Science including M.Phil courses in History and Culture, and Oriya [Regional language and Literature] besides technical [Job Oriented] subjects like PGDCA, ARCHAEOLOGY- MUSEOLOGY, BFC, PGDPLT, EPET, P.G Diploma in Pathology laboratory Technology and Opto-Electronics. Keeping the above facilities in view, it will be eminently suitable for the proposed KBK Central University, said Dr.Patra.

A university in KBK remains a far cry

2008-11-21T08:18:00.001-08:00

Kalinga Times.com, March 27, 2007
By Digambara Patra

Lack of information, timely initiative and lingering old ideas towards the development of Orissa was causing a great loss for the State and its people.
Central government and national organisations often have many new proposals and initiatives for various developmental purposes, and generally states having first hand information and timely initiative
normally get the maximum benefits out of this.

Unfortunately, Orissa government had done nothing at least towards the development of higher education in the backward region of the state by taking advantage of the policies of the Central government.

University Grants Commission (UGC) had earlier declared `Colleges with Potential of Excellence' to improve quality education in selected colleges through a screening committee all over the country.

In the first phase, only three colleges of Orissa, namely, Ravenshaw College in Cuttack, G M College in Sambalpur and Government College in Bhawanipatna were selected. In the second phase selection this year, only Khallikote College of Berhampur and Fakir Mohan College of Balasore have been selected from Orissa.

Fakir Mohan College has been affiliated with the newly established Fakir Mohan University, Balasore and Ravenshaw College has been made a state University recently. Till now among the `Colleges with Potential of Excellence' in Orissa, Government College, Bhawanipatna is the only college in KBK region certified by UGC for quality education.

If the state government would have taken timely initiative to make Government College, Bhawanipatna a state University along with Ravenshaw University it would not only have made a state University in KBK region but also could have received more UGC support for it.

The State Government could have been able to get UGC support for making Government College, Bhawanipatna a state University by highlighting the poor state of higher education in the KBK region.

Since independence the state government has totally ignored KBK region by not establishing any state university, government engineering college or government medical college in this region, whereas in last 15 years as many as six universities have been established/proposed in the remaining parts of the State.

Geographically, location of Bhawanipatna in KBK region is also advantageous as it is centrally located to many KBK and Boudh-Kandhamal districts.

Establishing a University in the lines of Ravenshaw University at Bhawanipatna could have fulfilled the long standing demand for a state university in this region and also would have given a positive message to the whole KBK region.

NRO demands IIPH in Orissa

2008-11-21T08:16:00.000-08:00

Tathya.in, Feb 26, 2007
Bhubaneswar:25/February/2007

As India lives in its villages, setting up Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) across urban areas is the biggest weakness of the National Policy on Public Health System (NPPHS).

Vigilant Non Resident Oriya (NRO) Digamber Patra, while analyzing the NPPHS, called upon the Union government to establish centers of IIPH in rural, remote and backward pockets geographically situated across India.

Dr.Patra, Visiting Lecturer, Waseda University, Tokyo has suggested that places like Kalahandi (Orissa) in South-East India, Dibrugarh (Assam) in North-East India, Bellary (Karnataka) in South-West India and Churu (Rajasthan) in North-West India needs these types of centers.

How ever the urban region like Lucknow (Chandigarh or Shimla or Delhi) in Northern Zone, Thiruvantapuram (Chennai or Hyderabad or Bangalore) in Southern Zone, Bhubaneswar (Patna or Kolkata) in Eastern Zone and Ahmedabad (Bhopal or Jaipur or Mumbai) in Western Zone will be right places for IIPH.

In May 2006, the prime minister of India announced Pubic Health Foundation of India (PHFI) by replicating a similar system in the United States of America (USA).

However, before strengthening the NPPHS, the organization itself seems to be formulating its own weakness when it plans to establish few Indian Institute of Public Health (IIPH) across India in urban cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Ahemadabad, Hyderabad, Chennai, Chandigarh and Lucknow.

Pointing out the weakness he raises doubts over how the policy makers would formulate policy for the major part of rural India.

One needs to bear in mind that in “Shining India” visiting Kalahandi from Kolkata or Hyderabad might take two days where as from Delhi one could reach Kolkata/Hyderabad in 2 hours.

The current public health problems faced by rural and urban India is totally different and needs separate treatment, he suggested.

It is surprising that how it would help these proposed IIPH institutes located in various cities such as Kolkata to understand the basic health problem faced by rural Indian such as people in remote places like multi-facet backward Kalahandi.

On the other hand Orissa is among the least invested states in educational institute by Government of India.

Earlier shifting of a proposed NIS from Bhubaneswar to Kolkata had made a huge public protest in Orissa and for it the prime minister had to interfere by asking Department of Atomic Energy to establish a similar institute e.g. NISER at Bhubaneswar.

Despite that very recently an announced IIT in Orissa was abolished and shifted.

In eastern zone of the country, most of the central government’s educational institutes were/are being established only in Kolkata i.e. West Bengal state totally discounting requirement of other states like Orissa and Bihar, who are at the bottom of per capital expenditure in higher education.

This is also unlike other parts of India e.g. Southern, Northern and Western zones. For instance, Kolkata and its surrounding already have IIT, IIM, ISI, IISER, Indian Association of Cultivation Science (a science institute similar to IISc standard),

NITTR, Central University and there are proposals for new IIEST, NIPER, IIPH, etc in Kolkata. Where as none of the above institutes including proposed IIPH was/is being located in Orissa except a new IIT was recently announced in Bihar for eastern zone.

Both political and administrative apathy by decision makers is bringing this disparity in the eastern zone of the country, he alleged.

Locating permanently a separate IIPH in these pockets would be very much helpful to assess and understand the basic public health problems and for formulating new policies for rural region, Dr.Patra suggested.

Unattended Kalahandi calls out for centre of higher learning

2008-11-21T08:05:00.000-08:00

The Pioneer, Feb 9, 2007
Pioneer News Service | Bhawanipatna

Why carry coal to New Castle?
But this seems to be the policy of Union Human Resources Development Ministry relating to the principle of setting up institutions of higher learning in the places where a number of institutes of national level higher education already exist.

Kalahandi has been in news for past four decades for wrong reasons as there has not been a single centre of higher learning in the area. That is why of late, non-resident Oriyas are trying to raise a hue and cry for setting up a national higher educational institute in this district.

Dr Digambara Patra of Waseda University Okubu, Tokyo, Japan, has said in an article that effectiveness of primary education is losing, as there is no parameter in higher education. All over the world, the employment rate is always higher for people having a master degree than that of a high school certificate. Quality education has always paid the best in India like for the graduates from IIT, IISc, ISI, and Central universities. Access to higher education is very much crucial, as it inspires many through its success like the case of IIT education.

In a region like Kalahandi, illiterate and poor people often question validity of education when their children cannot find employment and ultimately work in the agriculture field even after completing their graduation. They rather argue that their children should start to earn for the family by working in the agriculture field from the beginning itself. Intellectually such stand is not correct but in practice this argument has truth.

"Unless we provide quality education in this region, which could make them employable after their obtaining degrees/diplomas, poor and illiterate people would never be encouraged to send their children to primary schools. This is the reason why school drop out rate and illiteracy rate in the region are highest in the country," said Dr Patra.

Most of the issues like caste, creed, and religion are often raised in India except the geographical location of remote and multi-faceted backward places like Kalahandi that has never been addressed by policy makers with respect to establishing of national institutes for higher learning. Quality education has always been a far-reaching aspiration for those unprivileged and poor citizens, who live in remote locations of the district. Not a single national institution like IIT, IISc, IISER, Central University etc, is located within a 500-km radius of Kalahandi.

Even the State Government has done little in the district for improvement of higher education, Dr Patra pointed out. This situation is all the more disturbing since all its neighbouring districts such as Nabarangur, Koraput, Rayagada, Kandhamal, Boud, Balangir and Nuapada and those of the contiguous State of Chhattisgarh such as Raipur and Bastar do not have any national institute and are equally backward.

These regions have been in news for past four decades for wrong reasons of backwardness and poverty.

Dr Patra argues that national institute of higher learning in smaller towns have delivered well both qualitatively and quantitatively all over the world. Unfortunately, in the current rush of establishing national institutes like IIT, IISER, IIM, IIIT, IIPH and NIPER by the HRD Ministry and various other Central Government Ministries, not a single location like Bhawanipatna, the district headquarters of Kalahandi, has been chosen. Rather, the Central authorities are overcrowding polluted and exploding cities, many of which would be ecologically high-risk zones during next few decades as per the predictions by environmentalists.

A location like Bhawanipatna is ideal for national educational institute, not only because of environmental advantage but also for the need of creating infrastructure and employment opportunities, both direct and indirect. It would also usher in many national level academicians, researchers and students to work in this region, changing its current outlook.

Recent NSSO figures show that States having national higher educational institutes, like Assam and Arunachal Pradesh, have higher attendance as compared to States without having such institutions, like Orissa.

Besides, a central university and national institutions like IIT and IIM are urgently needed in Kalahandi to get the best results from the ongoing poverty alleviation programmes.

Failing this, would require another four decades to change the fate of the district, observes Dr Patra.

Central University Demanded in Kalahandi

2008-11-21T06:15:00.000-08:00

Dharitri: 12 Aug 2008